Richard Haynes PTA/CPT - 3/23/2009

Question
can or will a cortisone shot help.  Recently detoxed from pain medication after being addicted for 8 years after motorcycle accident that fractured my hip, needing pins, 8 broken ribs, broken clavicle, punctured lung and a concussion.  Surgeon said I would need a hip replacement eventually when pain would become unbearable but to hold off as long as possible because of my age.  I am now 45. Hip replacement helped a little but still have a lot of pain.  Don't want to use opiates any longer.  What other alternative do I have to help with pain. Since off pain meds 6 days now, I have a bad limp because of the horrible pain.  Also had bypass surgery 1 year prior to accident, and should not use ibuprofen or at least very minimal.

Answer
Hi Mike,


I would start with trying a heating pad for 30 minutes several times a day if you have the availability of a good moist heating pad and the time depending on your schedule.

I would also make sure that you do not have the pain being referred from another area like your low back for instance. A good orthopedic surgeon can advise you of such or if your doctor has not, I would as I tell many others get another opinion if needed.

The hip pain itself should have been taken care after the hip replacement if that was the cause, however there may be other factors involved or your hip and surrounding musculature were not sufficiently strengthen and rehabilitated.

In conclusion, try a moist heating pad for thirty minutes around the area where you have experienced the pain and if you find yourself limping or favoring the affected hip try using a single point cane on the strong side not the side that hurts.

I would also if possible go back and see the surgeon and see if physical therapy can help you in someway regarding using some different modalities to help with pain control and stretching instruction.

Generally a doctor will not shot any cortisone in the joint replacement area as they do not want to present into the area the possibility of infecting the joint through a needle. If the pain is elsewhere then there are times when cortisone will help for instance like hip bursitis is seen after a hip replacement or prior to one.

then cortisone may be in order.
Check with your surgeon on that however as its hard to tell where your pain is actually coming from.

Good Luck
Richard Haynes
Punta Gorda, Florida.